Fencing
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/0408_USA_Olympic_fencing.jpg/250px-0408_USA_Olympic_fencing.jpg)
This is about the sport. You may be wanting to read about a fence.
Fencing is a sport for two people with different kinds of swords. The aim is to score hits. There is also a referee.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Fencing_pictogram.svg/200px-Fencing_pictogram.svg.png)
Weapons[change | change source]
Foil[change | change source]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Fencing_foil_valid_surfaces.svg/120px-Fencing_foil_valid_surfaces.svg.png)
The foil is a light and easy to bend weapon, first made in mid 17th century as a weapon for practice. 'Hits' can only be scored by hitting the target area with the point of the sword. The target area is the torso.
Épée[change | change source]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Fencing_epee_valid_surfaces.svg/120px-Fencing_epee_valid_surfaces.svg.png)
The épée is the heaviest of the three weapons. To score a hit, the push-button on the end of the weapon must remain fully down for 2-10 milliseconds, and must arrive (hit) with a force of at least 7.35 newtons. The target area for Épée is the entire body. This includes the feet and the head.
Sabre[change | change source]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Fencing_saber_valid_surfaces.svg/120px-Fencing_saber_valid_surfaces.svg.png)
The sabre is the "cutting" weapon, with a curved guard (to protect the hand) and a triangular blade. However, in modern electric scoring, a touch with any part of the sabre, (point, flat or edge, as long as it is on target) will count as a hit. The target area in sabre is everything from the waist up, except for the hands.
Uniform[change | change source]
Fencers wear a uniform to avoid injury. They wear a mask of black mesh with a bib. Also, a jacket, short pants and a sort of half-a-shirt (called an underarm protector or plastron), all of white fabric. They must also wear socks that cover their legs. Women must wear a chest protector. These are collectively called "whites."
Related pages[change | change source]
Other websites[change | change source]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Fédération Internationale d'Escrime The organisation responsible for all international fencing